Population Birth Cohort (population + birth_cohort)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The relation of tobacco smoking to tooth loss among young adults

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 2 2004
Pekka Ylöstalo
Earlier studies have associated smoking with a higher rate of dental caries, periodontal disease and tooth loss. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether smoking is associated with tooth loss among young adults. The data consist of the 1966 birth cohort of Northern Finland, which is an unselected general population birth cohort (n = 12 058). The data were collected using a postal questionnaire in 1997,98 (n = 8690). Prevalence odds ratios and confidence intervals were estimated by applying a logistic regression model. It was found that smoking was associated with tooth loss in an exposure-dependent manner. The odds for those who smoked 16 or more pack-years were 5.30 (CI = 2.35,11.2) after adjustment for socio-economic and behavioral factors. Differences in socio-economic or health behavior are not likely to explain the findings since an exposure-response pattern was seen even when data was stratified according to sex, education and health-oriented lifestyle. A possible explanation for this association is a combination of treatment decisions and dental diseases, which are most likely associated with smoking in an exposure-dependent manner. [source]


Trends in mode of delivery during 1984,2003: can they be explained by pregnancy and delivery complications?

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 7 2007
CM O'Leary
Objectives, To describe trends in mode of delivery, to identify significant factors which affected mode of delivery, and to describe how these factors and their impact have changed over time. Design, Total population birth cohort. Setting, Western Australia 1984,2003. Participants, The analysis was restricted to all singleton infants delivered at 37,42 weeks of gestation with a cephalic presentation (n= 432 327). Methods, Logistic regression analyses were undertaken to estimate significant independent risk factors separately for elective and emergency caesarean sections compared with vaginal delivery (spontaneous and instrumental), adjusting for potential confounding variables. Main outcome measures, Trends in mode of delivery, demographic factors, and pregnancy and delivery complications. Estimated likelihood of elective caesarean section compared with vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section compared with vaginal delivery. Results, Between 1984,88 and 1999,2003, the likelihood of women having an elective caesarean section increased by a factor of 2.35 times (95% CI 2.28,2.42) and the likelihood of an emergency caesarean section increased 1.89 times (95% CI 1.83,1.96). These caesarean section rate increases remained even after adjustment for their strong associations with many sociodemographic factors, obstetric risk factors, and obstetric complications. Rates of caesarean section were higher in older mothers, especially those older than 40 years of age (elective caesarean section, OR 5.42 [95% CI 4.88,6.01]; emergency caesarean section, OR 2.67 [95% CI 2.39,2.97]), and in nulliparous women (elective caesarean section, OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.47,1.61]; emergency caesarean section, OR 3.61 [95% CI 3.47,3.76]). Conclusions, Our data show significant changes in mode of delivery in Western Australia from 1984,2003, with an increasing trend in both elective and emergency caesarean section rates that do not appear to be explained by increased risk or indication. [source]


Are influences during pregnancy associated with wheezing phenotypes during the first decade of life?

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2005
Ramesh J Kurukulaaratchy
Abstract Aim: Recently, attention has focused on possible early life origins for asthma. We sought to identify whether factors present during pregnancy were associated with development of childhood wheezing phenotypes. Methods: A whole population birth cohort (n=1456) on the Isle of Wight, UK, was followed through to age 10 y. Where possible, information regarding environmental exposures and events during pregnancy was obtained from the maternity records (n=1238). Children were seen at ages 1, 2, 4 and 10 y, and wheezing symptoms were used to define wheezing phenotypes in the first decade (n=1034). Results: Risk of early-onsetpersistent wheeze (onset in the first 4 y, still present at age 10) was increased by environmental tobacco smoke exposure in pregnancy (OR=2.44; 95% CI: 1.37,4.34) plus maternal asthma (3.57; 1.84,6.94), but reduced by cat ownership (0.30; 0.13,0.62). Early transient wheeze (onset in the first 4 y, but not present at age 10) was increased by environmental tobacco smoke exposure (1.58; 1.02,2.45), male gender (1.68; 1.09,2.60) and low birthweight (3.65; 1.27,10.52). No environmental factors in pregnancy were associated with late-onset persistent wheeze (onset after age 4 y, still present at 10 y). Conclusion: In addition to genetics, maternal exposures during pregnancy show association with childhood and especially early-life wheezing phenotypes. [source]


TSH concentration within the normal range is associated with cognitive function and ADHD symptoms in healthy preschoolers

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
Mar Álvarez-Pedrerol
Summary Objective, Thyroid hormone concentrations outside the normal range affect brain development, but their specific influence on behaviour and mental abilities within normal values is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate whether thyroid hormone concentrations are related to neurodevelopment and ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) symptoms in healthy preschoolers. Design subjects and measurements, Children from two general population birth cohorts in Menorca (n = 289) and Ribera d'Ebre (n = 53), Spain, were assessed in a cross-sectional study at the age of 4. Thyroid hormones (free T4 and T3) and TSH concentrations were measured and mental and motor development was assessed using McCarthy's scales for neuropsychological outcomes and ADHD-DSM-IV for attention deficit and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Results, Children with TSH concentrations in the upper quartile of the normal range performed lower on McCarthy's scales and were at higher risk for attention deficit and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. In the Menorca cohort, a decrease of 5ˇ8 (P < 0ˇ05) and 6ˇ9 (P < 0ˇ01) points was observed in memory and quantitative skills, respectively. In contrast, high T4 concentrations were associated with decreased risk of having 1,5 attention deficit symptoms (odds ratio: 0ˇ25; P < 0ˇ01); these findings were observed in both cohorts despite differences in mean TSH concentrations. No associations were observed with T3. Conclusions, Despite being within the normal range, high TSH concentrations are associated with a lower cognitive function and high TSH and low free T4 with ADHD symptoms in healthy preschoolers. Statistically significant differences were observed in the highest quartiles of TSH, suggesting a need for re-evaluation of the upper limit of the normal TSH range. [source]